Friday, January 28, 2011

Cinnamon Mocha Tart

A few days ago,I mentioned how chocolate & banana is one of my favorite flavor combinations.Well,nothing brings out the true flavor of chocolate like coffee or cinnamon,and this tart has both!It is a bit decadent,but so good.Again,I have made my own pastry dough,but feel free to use the refrigerated dough you find in the market in a pinch.
Dough:
2 sticks of very cold butter,cubed
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. sugar
2c. flour
1/4 c. ice water

In the bowl of a food processor ,mix together the flour,sugar & salt.Add the butter and process until butter is about the size of small peas.Add the water and process until the dough comes together(about 1-2 minutes).Divide the dough in half,flatten into disks.Wrap in plastic wrap,and place one in the refrigerator for 30 minutes,and the other in the freezer for future use.
Now for the filling:
1/2 c. butter
1 tbsp. instant coffee
3 eggs
1 c. sugar
4(1oz.) squares of unsweetened chocolate,finely chopped
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3c. flour
1 tbsp. cinnamon
fresh whipped cream

In a small saucepan,melt butter.Add coffee,then chocolate.Mix together and set aside to cool.
In the bowl of your mixer,beat the eggs.Slowly add in the sugar.Add the vanilla and then the cooled chocolate mixture.NEVER add hot chocolate to the eggs..they will cook and we don't want scramble eggs.

Remove dough from the refrigerator.Roll out on a lightly floured surface.Fit into your pan.I am using a square tart pan,if you have a round one,or a shallow pie plate,that is fine.Whatever you choose to bake it in should be on the shallow side,as this dessert does not rise like a cake.Individual tart pans work great as well.Place the tart pan on a baking sheet in case of accidental overflow.We don't want to ruin your oven!Prick a few holes into the bottom of the dough and bake at 350 degrees for about 5 minutes.If your dough tears a little,relax!!Just patch it with extra dough.Noone looks at the bottom of your dessert.(If they do,you might think twice about inviting them over again)!If you look at the picture closely,you will see that I had to do some repair work as well!

Remove the tart pan from the oven,and pour the filling in.Bake for another 25 minutes.Remove and let cool.Remove from the tart pan,cut into squares and serve.If using a pie plate,serve directly from the plate.Garnish with fresh whipped cream & cinnamon.